Collapsible garment rack



July 27, 1965 'J. F. WOLF 3,197,035

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT RACK Filed March 3, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.JUSEPH FAY WOLF July 27, 1965 Filed March 3, 1964 J. F. WOLF COLLAPSIBLEGARMENT RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 11a 2N6 Y United States Patent 3,17,t35QGLLAPEIBLE GARMENT RACK Ioseph Fay Wolf, Em dwin, NIZL, assignor toCombined Industries Inc, Far Rockaway, BLT-1., a corporation of New YorkFiled Mar. 3, H6 5, Ser. N 349,693 3 Claims. (Cl. 211--17$) Thisinvention relates generally to racks, and is especially concerned with aunique construction adapted for use as a clothes rack or the like.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a rackconstruction of the type described, which may be stored and shipped in aknocked down condition occupying a minimum of space, and which can bequickly and easily set up or erected without the exercise of more thanaverage skill.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rack of thetype described wherein various parts thereof are sectional, withsections of difierent parts swingably connected to each other tofacilitate the setting-up or erecting procedure and insure thedurability and staunchness of the erected rack.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of aunique sectional-shelf construction which permits of rapid assemblywithout the use of tools, and is rugged and reliable in its erectedcondition.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a rackconstruction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraph which is capable of economic mass production fordistribution and sale at a reasonable price, and. which is adapted forutilization in many various designs and styles of neat and attractiveappearance.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and re ferring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view showing an erected rack constructedin accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the erected rack of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the rack of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a partial side View showing a standard or post of theinstant rack in assembly with supporting legs which are in collapsedcondition, the legs being shown in dot-and-dash outline in intermediateand erected positions.

FIGURE 6 is a partial view showing a pair of frame sections swingablyconnected together and illustrating in full lines the collapsedcondition.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 7--] ofFIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 83of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 9 is a partial top plan View of one shelf section constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of the shelf section of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line1111 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a partial perspective view illustrating assembly of shelfsections in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 13 is a partial perspective view showing a later step in theshelf assembly.

FIGURE 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating still a later stepin the assembly of the shelf sections.

FIGURE 15 is a partial perspective view illustrating the fully assemblyshelf sections.

FIGURE 16 is a partial perspective view of the erected rack, andindicating directions of collapsing movement.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURES 1-3 thereof, the assembled rack of the instant invention istherein generally designated 16. The rack 16 includes a pair oflaterally spaced upstanding sides or standards 11, each having at itslower region a pair of support members or legs 12 engageable with asupporting surface or floor. Extending laterally between lower regionsof the standards 11 is abottom rail 13, and a top rail 14 extendslaterally between upper regions of the standards. In addition, one ormore generally horizontal shelves may extend between the standards 11,such as a lower shelf 15 extending between lower regions of thestandards, an upper shelf 16 extending between upper regions of thestandards, and an intermediate shelf 17 extending between upper regionsof the standards and spaced below the upper shelf 16.

The standards 11 and crossrails 13 and 14 are advantageously ofsectional construction, as are the shelves 115, 16 and 17. By thissectional construction the rack 19 may be quickly and easilydisassembled so as to occupy a minimum of space for convenience andeconomy in storage and transit, and may be readily assembled with equalfacility to assume its operative condition of use.

More specifically, the standards 11 may each be fabricated of a lowertubular member or section 29, intermediate tubular member or section 21and an upper tu bular member or section 22, which sections in assemblyare inserted endwise one within the other, as best seen in FIG. 4. Thatis, one section, say section 21 may have a reduced end portion 23defining an annular, outwardly facing shoulder 24, with the end portioninsertaole in the contiguous end of the adjacent section 20 to alimiting position with the shoulder 24- engaging the end edge of section20. While it is not essential that fasteners be employed to securetogether the members or sections of standards 11, gravity and frictionsuitably serving this purpose, fasteners may be utilized, if desired.

The pair of legs 12 at the lower region of each standard 11 may bedefined by angulate tubular members each having an outstanding portion26,.and a depending portion 27 connected by a bend 28 to the outstandingportion. The outstanding leg portion 26 of each leg 12 has its inner end29 remote from the bend 28 connected to the lower standard section 26 bya strap generally designated 30.

Each strap 30 may be fabricated of sheet material and doubled, folded orbent about the respective leg end portion 29 and fixedly securedthereto, by welding or other suitable means. The doubled or bent portionof each strap 30 is designated 31 and includes an abutment edge 32extending beyond the adjacent end of leg portion 29. The strap 30 isthus wrapped substantially halfway about the leg portion 29 and extendslaterally therefrom on opposite sides thereof, as by connecting portions33. The connecting portions 33 are defined by opposite ends of the strap31) and provide parallel spaced projections or ears extending bothlaterally beyond the leg portion 26 and longitudinally beyond the endportion 29 onto opposite sides of the adjacent section 20. Also, thelegs 12 of each pair associated with one standard 11 are 10- PatentedJuly 27, 1965 cated on the opposite sides of the standard with theconnection portions or ears 33 of one strap 3% overlying the connectionportions 33 of the other strap. In this condition, a pivot or pin 35passes through each section 20 and the adjacent overlying connectionportions 33.

The pairs of legs 12 are thus connected to respective lower standardsections 29 for swingingmovement ,between the collapsed solid-lineposition of FIGURE extending generally longitudinally of the standardand the positions shown in phantom, the upper position illustrating theuse condition extending generally normal to the standard. FIGURE 16 alsoshows the erected position of legs12.

The distal ends of leg portions 27 may be provided with feet 37, such asrubber or plastic caps for protective engagement with a supportingfloor. may advantageously have its ,arcuate surfaces depressed orsqueezed inward toward each other, as at 39 in FIG- URE 7 for increasedrigidity.

In the operative or use condition with the legs 12.,outstanding from andgenerally normal to the standard ll,

the strap edges 32 provideabutment portions in engagereduced forinsertion into the other section 40; and, the

receiving portion of the latter section may be formed with an upsetportion 43 for receivinga transverse setscrew 44. 'The setscrew maybe'tightened for holding engagement with the received section endportion 42.

The distal ends of sections 49 and 41 are swingably connected torespective lower standard sections 20, as seen in FIGURE 6.

More particularly, a strap 45, similar to the strap 39 connects the endof each section 40 and 41 to the lower "region of the respectiveadjacent standard section 28.

Each strap 45 is bent or wrapped substantially halfway about the endregion 46 of section 40, being welded or otherwise fixed thereto, andhaving an edge 47 extending beyond the end of the section 49. Oppositeends of the strap 45 extend laterally and longitudinally beyond the endedge of end portion 46 to define a pair of parallel spaced facingconnection portions or ears 48 extending across and on opposite sides ofthe frame section 20. A pivot or pin 49 passes through the frame section29 and overlying connection portions 43 to pivotally connect togetherthe sectionsand 40.. 7

It will be observed in FIGURE 16 that the pivotal connection 49 of strap45 with frame section 26) is closely adjacent to the end 5% of thelatter section. This proximity of strap 45 to the end 59 permits thestrap and section 40 to swing about the axis of pivot 49 substantially270 from its solid-line collapsed position on one side of and generallyparallel to the section 20 to its phantom position on the other side ofand generally normal to the section 20. The latter position is that ofuse wherein the abutment portion or edge 47 engages with the section 20to limit further swinging movement of the section 40. The erectedposition of section 40 is shown FIG. 16.

Here again, the strap 45 between its pivotal connec tion 49 and edge 47takes the major part of bending moment to substantially reduce thestress applied to the securernent of strap 45 and section 40.

The upper rail 14 is composed of tubular sections 52 and 53 detachablysecured together in end-to-end relation and having their distal endsswingably connected by straps 54 to the upper standard sections 22. The

structural connection by straps 54 of sections 52 and 53 to respectiveframe members or sections 22 may be essen- The bend 2S 7 ing planes.

tially similar to that described in connection with FIG- URE 6, exceptthat the straps are not located adjacent to the ends of sections Hence,the sections 52 and 5'5 are limited to substantially 90 of swingingmovement relative to their connected sections 22, rather than the 279 ofthe lower rail sections 4% and d3.

The shelves l5, l5 and 17 may be substantially identical, so that onlythe upper shelf 16 need be described in detail. Shelf it? includes apair of shelf sections 56 and 57 each fabricated of open wireworkconstruction and detachably secured together in end-to-end, generallycoplanar relation. At distal ends of shelf sections 56 and 57 may heclamps 5S and 59, or other suitable securing means for detachableconnection to the upper ends of sections 22. p 7

The shelf section 56 includes a pair of side pieces 65 each fabricatedofwire bent to an elongate generally U- shaped configuration anddisposed in parallel spaced, fac- The sidepieces 6i? are fixedly securedtogether by'crosspieces 61 having their opposite ends fixedly secured,as by welding or the like, to respective sidepieces. As best seen inFEGURES 12-15, each U-shaped side- 'piece 15 includes generally parallelspaced upper and lower wires 62 and 53 connected to each other at theirThe crosspieces 61 the sidepieces'ii; and, an additional longitudinalmemher or wire 65 may be secured to medial regions of the crosswires 61.Thus, it will now be appreciated that the spaces 55 between the upperand lower wires 62 and 63 of side members 59 define facing slots havingtheir inner ends closed by bends e4.

Further, the upper wires as of the sidepieces 65 may each be formed witha laterally outwardly oifset portion 67 located adjacent to and spacedfrom the respective bend 64.

The shelf section 5'? may include longitudinal or side- 'pieces 6)extending in parallel spaced relation and spaced apart slightly lessthan thesidepieces for engagement therebetw en. If desired, eachsidepiece 69 may include upper and lower wires and 71, and a pluralityof crosspieces '72 may extend between and be fixedly secured to thesidepieces. Certain of the crosspieces 72 may have their ends orterminal portions 73 projecting beyond the sidepieces 69, for a purposeappearing presently.

The assembly procedure of'shelf 16 is shown in FIG- URES 1245, the shelfsection 57 having its sidepieces '69 engaged between the sidepieces 50of shelf section 56.

This is enabled by entry of the projecting terminal portions 73 throughthe spaces defined by offset portions '67 for engagementof the terminalportions between the upper and lower wires 62 and 63 of sidepieces 6%).In

FIGURE 13 is shown an initial stage in the assembly wherein one of t reterminal portions '73 has been engaged between wires 62 and 53, whileFIGURE 14 shows a later condition wherein another terminal portion 73 isbeing engaged between the wires 62 and 63. The condition shown in FIGURE15 is that wherein the terminal portions '73 are engaged between wires62 and 63 and the shelf sections 56 and 57 are slid to an extendedposition'with'one terminal portion 73 engaging each bend 64. The offsetportions 67 are thus located out of registry with any of the terminalportions 73 so that disassembly of the shelf sections may not occurinadvertently. Of course, the shelf sections may be disassembled byreversal'of the above-described procedure.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides arack construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and iswell adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distributionand use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity' of understanding,it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be madewithin the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rack construction comprising a pair of spaced standards, a pair oflegs connected to each standard and engageable with a supporting floor,a bottom rail extending between and connected to lower regions of saidstandards, and a shelf extending between and connected to upper regionsof said standards, said shelf having a first section comprising a pairof U-shaped side members connected by cross-pieces, the U-shaped memberseach providing a slot, and a second section having parallel spacedmembers connected by cross-pieces with the ends thereof engageable inthe slots, said shelf sections being of open wirework construction, saidfirst section side members being parallel and having outwardly offsetportions adapted to receive the ends of the cross-pieces of the secondsection, and said second section cross-piece ends extending beyond thesides of the section and engaged in the slot in the U-shaped members.

2. in a rack construction, a pair of elongate frame members, a strapfixed to one frame member and having an abutment portion extendingbeyond one end of said one frame member, connection means extending fromsaid strap laterally beyond said one frame member across the other framemember, and pivot means extending through said connection means and saidother frame member to connect said frame members together for swingingmovement between a longitudinal collapsed position and a substantiallynormal erected position with said abutment portion engaging said otherframe member, said strap being wrapped about said one frame memberadjacent to and extending beyond said one' end thereof, the extendingedges of said strap defining said abutment portion, and said connectionmeans comprising a pair of connection portions extending laterally onopposite sides of said other frame member and longitudinally beyond saidabutment portion for pivotal connection to said other frame member insaid collapsed and erected positions, said connection portions beinglocated adjacent to and spaced inward from one end of said other framemember, for swinging movement between said collapsed positionsubstantially parallel to said other frame memher on one side thereofand said erected position substantially normal to said other framemember on the other side thereof.

3. A knockdown-rack construction comprising a pair of spaced sectionalstandards, a pair of legs pivotally connected to the lower regions ofeach standard for swinging movement between a collapsed positionlongitudinally of the associated standard and an erected positiontransversely of the associated standard, upper and lower sectionalcrossrails respectively extending between upper and lower regions ofsaid pair of standards and each having its opposite ends pivotallyconnected to the adjacent standard for swinging movement between acollapsed position longitudinally of the associated standard and anerected position normal to the associated standard, and a sectionalshelf extending between and removably connected to said pair ofstandards, said shelf comprising first and second wirework sections,said first section comprising a pair of generally U-shaped sidesdisposed in parallel planes, and cross members extending between andconnected to said sides, and said second section comprising a pair'ofgenerally parallel sides, and cross members extending between and havingterminal portions extending beyond the sides of said second section,said terminal portions being engaged in said U-shaped sides.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,696,579 12/28Miller 211178 1,830,282 11/31 Lorch 211178 2,195,263 3/40 Seibert211-153 2,302,233 11/42 Maddox 211-123 2,748,955 5/56 Anselmo 211-4782,793,764 5/57 Stork 211-478 2,893,767 7/59 Buchman 287-96 2,896,7897/59 Sans 21137 3,132,609 5/64 Chesley 108-106 FOREIGN PATENTS 568,20412/23 France. 934,745 8/63 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. A RACK CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED STANDARDS, A PAIR OFLEGS CONNECTED TO EACH STANDARD AND ENGAGEABLE WITH A SUPPORTINF FLOOR,A BOTTOM RAIL EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO LOWER REGIONS OF SAIDSTANDARDS, AND A SHELF EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO UPPER REGIONSOF SAID STANDARDS, SAID SHELF HAVING A FIRST SECTION COMPRISING A PAIROF U-SHAPED SIDE MEMBERS CONNECTED BY CROSS-PIECES, THE U-SHAPED MEMBERSEACH PROVIDING A SLOT, AND A SECOND SECTION HAVING PARALLEL SPACEDMEMBERS CONNECTED BY CROSS-PIECES WITH THE ENDS THEREOF ENGAGEABLE INTHE SLOTS, SAID SHELF SECTIONS BEING OF OPEN WIREWORK CONSTRUCTION, SAIDFIRST SECTION SIDE MEMBERS BEING PARALLEL AND HAVING OUTWARDLY OFFSETPORTIONS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE ENDS OF THE CROSS-PIECES OF THE SECTIONSECTION, AND SAID SECOND SECTION CROSS-PIECE ENDS EXTENDING BEYOND THESIDES OF THE SECTION AND ENGAGED IN THE SLOT IN THE U-SHAPED MEMBERS.